Comments on: Pterosaurs May Have “Pole Vaulted” to Take Flight

By: loren russell

loren russell — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 01:12:13 +0000

Maddog, read the PLOS paper! The authors are basically saying that, contra various opinions, at least two lineages of giant pterosaurs WERE highly capable of powered flight, including take-off and landing, and that they didn’t need ridiculous conditions [downhill run, high winds, sea-cliffs] to get into the air. What are the clues from their anatomy? Among other things, good articulated skeletons for the Pteranodon group, relative limb proportions and range of movement, muscle attachments, and especially the scaling of limb bones suggesting high dynamic loading consistent with powered take-off. We also have trackways of smaller related forms that confirm that the later pterosaurs were competent on land, with an upright quadrapedal gait. That suggests that they couldn’t launch off hindlimbs as birds generally do. So, given that the forelimbs [shoulder to "hand"] was half again as long as hindlimb, and more heavily muscled, the suggestion that they took a short run and then levered off the forelimbs seems sensible to me.

By: MBH3Q

MBH3Q — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:04:22 +0000

Those interested in the anatomical evidence for the “pole-vaulting” launch can see an excerpt of a coming book here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwitton/ and the full paper to which the above article refers here: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0013982

By: s

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:32:26 +0000

windy joints
oxygen joints
joints

By: Gnarlodious

Gnarlodious — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 06:54:31 +0000

The simplest solution is that there was less gravity back then. A lot less gravity. Do the math. How much gravity would be needed for the beast to fly?

By: Possibility

Possibility — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:34:38 +0000

They flew because millions of years ago, Earth’s gravity was probably much lower than it is now. Also, at the time, having an oxygen rich enviroment allowed these incredible creatures to exist.

By: maddog

maddog — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:10:59 +0000

This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. There is no clue from the anatomy of these creatures that they did anything of the sort. Really getting sick of some supposed experts coming up with this nonsense. It’s suppose to be science not speculation.

By: Kin

Kin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:29:51 +0000

Now that last line was a cheap shot. Some of really are disappointed pterosaurs aren’t around right now. Disappointed in theory at least.

By: amphiox

amphiox — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:13:14 +0000

Erm, Dante #1, aren’t you doing in paragraph 2 the exact sort of theorizing you say you don’t like in paragraph 1?

Not that I think it’s wrong. There is always a place for wild speculative theorizing, so long as it is openly recognized as such and done with due discipline.

By: Eric Roberts

Eric Roberts — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 23:45:05 +0000

This sounds possible as nature has a way of solving many problems in life. This also could be why the Pterosaurs lived in many places on Earth and maybee even cross bred. I wonder if man will survive as long as the dinosaurs? I doubt it.

By: Dante The Canadian

Dante The Canadian — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:20:31 +0000

I don’t like this sort of theorizing. Sounds like a couple of people sitting around after having a few drinks and then thinking “Dude, pole vaulting, that’s how they did it!!!”

When I look at Pterosaurs, I see Reptile bats. Could the smaller ones have maybe lived in tree canopies and the larger ones lived in Giant caves and off cliffs similiar to Bats and large winged fliers like albatrosses?